A Group-Based Telehealth Intervention for Birth Trauma: Protocol for a Pilot Feasibility and Waitlist Control Trial

Area of Science:

• Perinatal mental health research
• Telehealth interventions
• Narrative therapy applications

Background:

• Traumatic childbirth affects nearly half of Australian women, leading to postpartum depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
• Existing treatments for birth trauma lack accessibility in rural areas due to waitlists, isolation, and cost.
• No prior research has tested a narrative-informed, group-based telehealth intervention for postpartum birth trauma.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the acceptability and feasibility of a narrative-informed, group-based telehealth intervention.
• To evaluate the intervention's potential in reducing mental health impacts of traumatic childbirth.
• To address gaps in accessible perinatal mental health services for rural postpartum women.

Main Methods:

• Pilot feasibility trial with a waitlist control design.
• Six-session narrative-informed group intervention delivered via telehealth.
• Participants randomized to intervention or waitlist control; quantitative mental health measures (EPDS, PASS, City BiTS) and satisfaction/cohesion scales administered.

Main Results:

• Recruitment completed July-August 2024; 9 participants randomized (4 intervention, 5 control).
• Intervention group completed sessions September-October 2024; data collection finalized.
• Data analysis is ongoing; manuscript preparation planned for mid-late 2025.

Conclusions:

• The study addresses a critical need for scalable, accessible interventions for birth trauma recovery.
• The telehealth group format using narrative approaches tackles accessibility and affordability barriers.
• Findings may guide improved perinatal mental health services in regional/rural Australia.